Pro Installer April 2019 - Issue 73 | Page 36

36 | APRIL 2019 Motoring Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk DRIVING WITH TECHNOLOGY Mobile communications and GPS systems used as sat-navs are becoming very common in cars. Whether you are connecting your Bluetooth to blast tunes or look- ing for the nearest Waitrose, these have become a fundamental part of the daily drive for many of us. This week’s tips give advice on using technology to complement your driving, from IAM RoadS- mart’s head of driving and riding standards Richard Gladman. • Whilst a sat-nav aids in getting you from A to B try to not be- come reliant on it. It is impor- tant to pay attention to road signs and the road ahead, in case there’s a diversion sign that the device may not have picked up • Get to know your sat-nav before you set off and always programme it when station- ary. Many people trust their sat-navs not to get them lost but you also need to know about roadworks, diversions and places to stop. Keep an old-fashioned map to ensure that you limit the chances of going completely off track • Create your playlist before you start your journey. Taking your eyes of the wheel to look or adjust your music can often prove to be hazardous. It only takes a few seconds distrac- tion to cause an accident. Remember to also keep your music down in some circum- stances; your hearing can keep you safe, so be prepared to turn the music off • Don’t make or take calls when driving and never text or en- gage with social media on your smartphone. Through extensive research it has been shown that making calls, even hands-free, affects concentration and slows reactions when driving • Some vehicles can create a Wi-Fi zone allowing internet access. This should be used as a luxury for passengers whilst ensuring they do not distract you as the driver. For instance, a computer screen reflecting in the dark is a dangerous distraction Richard said: “The latest driver assistance systems can be the perfect back-up to cover our occa- sional human failings but are no substitutes for concentration. The driver must always remain con- nected to what is going on around them. Multi-tasking is a myth and all too often that glance away can become a complete switch-off to an emerging risk. No text, tweet, check in or status update is worth crashing for.” www.iamroadsmart.com GEM CALLS ON COURTS TO GET TOUGH ON ‘TOTTERS’ ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging courts across the country to get tough on drivers and riders who accumulate 12 penalty points on their licences. Business Class: Vauxhall Launches Van Business Centres Luton – Vauxhall has appointed a The call comes as a further example emerges of a driver who successfully in- voked the ‘exceptional hard- ship’ excuse and managed to persuade magistrates that he should be allowed to continue driving. Andrew Prangell of Swan- Nearly 11,000 people are age was convicted last driving with 12 or more month of failing to give points on their licences, information relating to the according to figures releases driver of a Vauxhall van, fol- in October 2018. lowing offences committed GEM road safety officer last year. He received six commented: “A driving points for each count but ban should be inevitable escaped a ban after magis- for anyone who has man- trates heard an exceptional aged to tot up 12 penalty hardship plea. points on their licence. It takes a particularly careless, thoughtless or reckless person to reach this level, and their dis- regard for the law means they each represent a big risk for the rest of us who share the roads with them.” network of Van Business Centres nationwide that offer the highest standards of custom- er service in sales, aftersales and workshop services, for its multi award-winning light commercial vehicle (LCV) range that carries British business. Each Van Business Centre will display Vaux- hall’s full LCV range, and have available for test-drive the all-new Combo Cargo – 2019’s International Van of the Year – the Brit- ish-built Vivaro, and the Movano large van. All 65 Van Business Centres employ dedicated LCV sales consultants, who are highly-trained to provide a personal response in line with the customer’s business require- ments. Vauxhall-trained technicians will fit only genuine Vauxhall parts, with a one-year war- ranty. Courtesy vehicles will be available in the event of a customer’s vehicle being immo- bilised, so that they can keep their business moving. Van Business Centres offer full transparency with national, all-inclusive pricing. Customers are given a full explanation of work carried out with regular progress updates. For added convenience for business users, Van Business Centres will all offer overnight drop off and pick up availability. When pre- booked, 90 minute express servicing is also available. Customers can book their vehicle in online, 24 hours a days, seven days a week. Van Business Centres have to meet a strict selection criteria. Only sites that can provide sales and service support and meet strict ser- vice level requirements can qualify. “This important change demonstrates our commitment to looking after the needs of our LCV customers, by delivering a service level that matches up to our outstanding product range, that helps carry British business,” said Derek Wilson, Vauxhall’s LCV Director.